101st minute penalty puts brakes on Red Machines’ title chase
Fatorda: The Red Machines’ title march stalled on Sunday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Raia Ground.
With 38 points from 20 matches (11 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses), they remain top of the table, but the draw has now left the door ajar for Inter Kashi, Real Kashmir, and Gokulam Kerala to close the gap in the title race. Had Churchill Brothers won this match, they would have needed just one point from two outings to secure the title. As it stands, the Red Machines are now headed for a do or die clash against second placed Inter Kashi.
Despite leading for the majority of the match through a first-half goal from Pape Gassama, the Goan side were denied the full share of points when David Castañeda Muñoz converted a 101st minute penalty in stoppage time for the visitors.
After frustrating Inter Kashi in their last outing, Sreenidi Deccan repeated the trick against the league leaders as well. The Deccan Warriors are now sixth in the table with 27 points from 20 matches.
On a hot and humid afternoon in Goa, Churchill Brothers started brightly and looked intent on building on their four-match unbeaten run. They carried their early momentum into the game and took the lead in the 29th minute, thanks to a moment of quality from Gassama. After receiving the ball at the edge of the area, the Senegalese midfielder chipped it delicately over goalkeeper Aryan Lamba, giving the home crowd reason to believe the three points were in the bag.
The Red Machines controlled the tempo for most of the match, with Stendly Fernandes providing width and service from the flanks. However, their failure to convert chances would ultimately cost them. Wayde Lekay and Rafiq Aminu, usually reliable finishers, were wasteful in front of goal.
